Storybook Blanket

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to a children&#39;s activity and play device, and more specifically to a blanket or play mat that also serves as a storybook, which is convertible to a play toy. The present invention may include a fabric member in the form for a padded mat and include a first surface and a second surface. When unfolded, the first surface of the fabric member includes at least one display section, and preferably a series of display sections, which depict a story or portion of a story. Connected to a first edge of the fabric member is a stuffed or cushioned figure. The fabric member is adapted to be folded into a folded form, wherein the folded form combines with the stuffed figure portion to form a play toy in the form of a stuffed character figure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a children's activity and play device, and more specifically to a blanket or play mat that also serves as a storybook, which is convertible to a play toy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Story books for children have been around for many years. Conventional story books comprise bound pages with pictures and words. Some story books for very young children have been made with soft fabric pads that are bound together to form a book. Many of such books include interactive stimuli features, such as mirrors and crinkle material to mentally and physically stimulate the child. The present invention seeks to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is provided herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a children's apparatus that includes a fabric member having a first surface and a second surface. The fabric member is generally in the form of a soft mat that is preferably padded. The fabric member is also foldable, and as discussed further below, is adapted to be folded into a play toy similar to a stuffed figure or character. A first surface of the fabric member includes at least one display section, and preferably a series of display sections. A display section or a series of display sections graphically depict a story or portion of a story. Connected to a first edge of the fabric member is a stuffed or cushioned figure, such as the head of a character from the story depicted. The fabric member is adapted to be folded into a folded form, wherein the folded form combines with the stuffed figure portion to form a stuffed character figure. In some embodiments, the first surface may include a section that represents a body of the character.

When in an unfolded stated, the fabric material mat can be laid out flat such that the display sections are visible. As stated, the display section or sections graphically depict a story or a portion of a story. The child can sit or lie on the mat and have the story displayed told to him or her by a caregiver. The mat can serve the function of a play mat with the character head forming a pillow on which the child may lay his or her head. In some embodiments, the first surface may include a water repellant treatment to resist moisture and staining. For example, the mat can be used as a changing pad for an infant or toddler, and the first surface may be treated to resist fouling. The second side of the mat may alternatively or additionally include a water repellant treatment.

In some embodiments, the first side may include one or more interactive stimuli. For example, the first side may include a mirrored portion that enables the child to look at himself or herself. The first side may include crinkle fabric for the child to manipulate. The first side may also include flaps that can be opened to reveal other displays or stimuli. Embedded within the mat may be sensors that enable the child to activate noises or lights by pressing on particular portions of the first surface. Other interactive stimuli for children as known in the art may be included.

In some preferred embodiments, the fabric member includes at least one securement member that is adapted to secure the fabric member in the folded form. For example, the fabric member may include a tab having an end secured therewith, and an end that is detachably securable with the fabric. The end of the tab that is detachably secured may be secured by a hook and loop arrangement, snap, button, or the like. Alternatively, the fabric mat may include snaps, ties, hook and loop portions that are adapted to be engaged to secure the fabric member in the folded form.

While the embodiments described herein depict only a first side with display sections, it is contemplated that some embodiments of the present invention may be two-sided. In such embodiments, the second side of the fabric may include display sections. The back of the stuffed or cushioned figure may also depict the face of a character such that the reverse side of the apparatus depicts a different character or perhaps the same character with a different facial expression.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the first surface of the mat in an unfolded condition.

FIG. 2 is the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the second surface of the mat in an unfolded condition.

FIG. 3 is the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 with the fabric mat in a folded form.

FIG. 4 is the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 with the fabric mat in a folded form with a display window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is shown one embodiment of a children's apparatus in the form of a storybook blanket 10. The blanket 10 includes a fabric member 12 having a first surface 14 and a second surface 16. In this preferred form, the fabric member 12 is generally in the form of a lightly padded mat. The fabric is preferably a soft washable material, such as cotton, polyester, rayon, or a blend of such materials.

The first surface 14 includes a plurality of display sections 18. In this particular embodiment, the display sections 18 present a series of story panels that graphically depict a story. Although not shown, the story panels may include words in addition to pictures. In use, a child may sit on the first surface 14 of mat 12 and be told the story by a caregiver in conjunction with the display sections 18. It should be understood that the reference to story panels is not intended to be limited to a story. Rather, it is contemplated that the story panels may in other embodiments comprise educational displays, such as alphabet letters, animals, vehicles, foods, numbers, or the like, and may include corresponding word pictures. The first surface, in preferred embodiments, may further include one or more interactive stimuli, such as mirrored sections or crinkle paper which is shown schematically as 20. In other embodiments, the first surface 14 may include only one display section over substantially the entire first surface 14, such as a depiction of a park, zoo, or map.

The first surface may be used also as a changing pad, play mat, or napping pad. In order to reduce the effects of spills or other contaminants, the first surface preferably include a water repellant treatment. Other fabric treatments may also be includes, such as fire retardants, anti-bacterial treatment, or the like.

The second surface 16 is shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the second surface 16 includes no display sections. However, it should be understood that the second surface may also include display sections similar to the display sections 18 of the first surface 14. The second surface, like the first surface, may also include a water repellant treatment or other treatment.

The fabric member 12 defines a first edge 22 to which a stuffed figure portion 24 is attached. The stuffed figure portion 24 is preferably in the form of a character head. When the fabric member 12 is in an unfolded condition, a child may lay on the first surface 14 and use the stuffed figure portion 24 as a pillow. Although not shown in the present embodiment, the stuffed figure portion may include a reverse side that depicts a different character or the same character with a different facial expression. The reverse side of the stuffed figure portion may alternatively depict the back of the character's head, as shown in FIG. 2.

The fabric member 12 is foldable. Referring to FIG. 3, when the fabric member 12 is folded, it forms a character body 26 with the character head 24 also visible. In a preferred embodiment, the display sections are sized and distributed on the first surface 14 such that when the fabric member 12 is folded as intended, the display sections 18 are concealed, and a display portion 28 of the character body 26 is shown. Hand and feet members 40 may also be provided with display portion 28.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a securement member 30, which is shown schematically, is provided that is adapted to secure the fabric member in the folded form. This enables the child to play with the storybook blanket 10 in its folded form, which is basically a stuffed figure play toy. It also enables the storybook blanket 10 to be held in a folded condition for easier carrying and transport. The securement member 30 is shown as a tab having a first end 32 secured to the fabric member 12. Other securement methods as are recognized in the art may be used, such as snaps, buckles, ties, or the like.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims. 

1. A children's apparatus comprising: a fabric member having a first surface and a second surface, the fabric member being foldable, the first surface of the fabric member comprising at least one display section, the display section depicting at least a portion of a story; and a stuffed figure portion connected to the fabric member; the fabric member adapted to be folded into a folded form, wherein the folded form combines with the stuffed figure portion to form a stuffed figure.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a plurality of display sections, each of the plurality of display sections depicting a portion of the story.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface further comprises at least one interactive stimulus.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stuffed figure portion comprises a character head and the folded form comprises a character body.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the character body includes a display portion.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface comprises a water repellant treatment.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fabric member comprises at least one securement member adapted to secure the fabric member in the folded form.
 8. A children's apparatus comprising: a padded fabric mat comprising first surface and a second surface, the first surface comprising a series of images depicting a story, the fabric mat further comprising a first edge; a cushioned character head connected to the first edge of the fabric mat; the fabric mat adapted to be folded to forma character body, and the character body and the character head combine to form a character.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first surface further comprises at least one interactive stimulus.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the character body includes a display portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface comprises a water repellant treatment.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fabric member comprises at least one securement member adapted to secure the fabric member in the folded form.
 13. A children's apparatus adapted to include a folded condition and an unfolded condition, the apparatus comprising: a fabric member including a first surface, a second surface opposed to the first surface, and edge portion, and a padding between the first surface and the second surface, the fabric member being foldable, the first surface of the fabric member including at least one display section depicting at least a portion of a story; a stuffed figure portion depicting a character head, and connected to the edge portion of the fabric member; the fabric member forming a body of a character when in the folded condition; and the fabric member forming a play mat when in the unfolded condition.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first surface further comprises at least one interactive stimulus.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the character body includes a display portion.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first surface and the second surface comprises a water repellant treatment.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fabric member comprises at least one securement member adapted to secure the fabric member in the folded form. 